Madurai Aadheenam is the most ancient, oldest Aadheenam in India. It was revived by the first pontiff, Thirugnanasambandhar from the late 6th century, blessed were His parents of Sirkazhi.

The first pontiff, His Holiness Thirugnanasambandar is the first among “Saiva Samaya Kuravare”, who have revived, and glorified the Siva traditions, glory of vibhooti ‘Thiru Neeru’ (holy ash), power of the five letter mantra, “Nama Shivaya”, and the glory of Tamil language to the whole world.

291 pontiffs, the representatives of Lord Shiva and Devi have ruled and administered the Madurai Aadheenam since late 6th century.

On 27-05-1975, He was coronated as the prince (Perarasar) of Madurai Aadheenam and was crowned as the Great King on 14-03-1980.

Spreading the Divine Glory of Vedic Tradition in Foreign Lands

Srila Sri Arunagirinatha Swamigal at London

The 292nd Guru Maha Sannidhanam traveled to the United States of America, European countries (Europe and France) and delivered discourses on the glory and essence of Shiva rituals, Tamil customs and practices. In the foreign soil, He held spiritual discussions with the Tamil speaking community.

Then He visited Canton, China and delivered the groundbreaking talk on “the Oneness of Siva Tradition and Islam”, as requested by the public, who offered Him a very warm welcome, befitting a royal spiritual king.

During 1987 He visited the sacred Malaysian Siva Temples and delivered “Saiva Siddhanta clarity”. He blessed the people giving them Shiva Deeksha and Siva Pooja initiations.

Indomitable Spirit of Leadership

During His rule, the Aadheenam properties have been recovered from the unauthorized possessors. The income of the Aadheenam has gone up. Similarly the maintenance and construction of new buildings have taken shape.

The shops, houses, lands of the Aadheenams’ tenancy and contracts have been revisited to be paid on or before 05 of every month. This new system was enforced by the 292nd Pontiff.

The properties of the Aadheenam are under His direct supervision and control, and accordingly with His powerful administrative skills, He has very efficiently revised the rents etc. and raised the Aadheenam’s incomes.

Particularly, the South Avani Moola Street Steel workshops area has been made to evacuate and the new building for new jewelry shop’s complex has sprung up, raising the income of the Aadheenam to be further dedicated for social spiritual activities.

Some of the properties on Ramanathapuram Road, Kamarajar Road had been sublet to somebody without the knowledge of the Aadheenam. The 292nd Maha Sannidhanam resolved this matter of illegal subletting and thereby raised the income of the Aadheenam.

The temple’s maintenance works have been carried out and a significant amount of four lakhs had been kept in fixed deposit. Arrangements were done to perform “Perunjanthi function”. Face-lifting and renovation works of Aadheenam Thiru Madalaya Pooja Mutt, office, Mangayakarasi home works were also done.

The holy portraits of 291 pontiffs have been arranged in 20×16 with glass frames and have been exhibited in a grand manner.

In Thiruchendur West Rar Street, 292 Guru Maha Sannidhanam’s poorvashrama father, freedom fighter Rev. Sri Ram Kumaraswamy’s house was in a damaged condition. The same had been demolished and new building had been built in 1988 and named as “Madurai Aadheenam Thirukkan Sathum Mandapam”; being donated to the Aadheenam.

Over and above arrangements had also been done to purchase new properties.

Jaripudukkottai Sri Gowri Vallbheshwarar temple was in damaged condition for the last 200 years. Guru Maha Sannidhanam took extra attention for repairs and maintenance. Finally the “Punaruthranam” was conducted.

There was one corporation toilet near east entrance of the Aadheenam, which was dangerous hazard to public. Our Guru Maha Sannidhanam, taking account of this serious hazard, took the initiative to get it removed and the rickshaw stand was also evacuated. This is a great achievement of our Guru Maha Sannidhanam, for it has brought much relief and protection to the people of Madurai.

God is one for the followers of all religions. So everyone is brother and sister. Based on this Truth, the 292nd pontiff has appeared gracefully on Islamic, Christian spiritual discourses, proving the sacred truths through his practical living and teachings. He has delivered the following topics:

Siva Siddhantam

Kuran/Thirugnanasambandar

Mohammed Nabi/ Thirugnanasambandar

Jesus/ Thirugnanasambandar

His life stands as a strong testimony of living, sharing, and spreading the greatest spiritual truths directly bequeathed to him by the will of the Cosmic Father and Mother, Shiva and Devi. All his actions have been centered on the ultimate benefit of humanity, and to raise their consciousness to a divine life.

He has worked untiringly for the peace and harmony in the society. He has brought forward the Saiva Siddhanta in such lucid way that even a layman can understand and follow the greatest Truths very easily and practically irrespective of their background, lifestyle, or age.

A Divine Messenger of Peace and Compassion

He has been much appreciated for His dedicated works in maintaining law and order after the Hindu/Christian frictions. During 1981-82 in Mandaikadu, Kanyakumari Dt, He selflessly and courageously spent four months on the field without caring for His safety or health. As a strong stalwart of peace and compassion, he came as a divine messenger and brought harmony, peace among the community, while diligently fulfilling their much needed basic necessities. He has contributed to this community with clothing and donations and took care of their suffering, bringing peaceful and healing energy to the whole affected area.

During the civil commotion in Kanyakumari Dt, the 292 Guru Maha Sannidanam took up the responsibility to bring harmony and peace to the land. Taking this audacious initiative, He met both the religious leaders, arranged for daily meetings to convince both the leaders to bring harmony in Mandaikadu area. Expressing his divine compassion, He even took the injured people to Kottar hospital, and gave them clothing, food.

Such are the altruistic and glorifying acts of the Madurai Aadheenams.

The most significant and noticeable incident is that during the peak of violence in the society, amidst the chain murders, robbery, gun firings because of the unconscious religious clashes, Guru Maha Sannidhanam, with his sharp mental clarity and bravery, stood undeterred in His decision to render the society’s spiritual services.

These pure compassionate acts surely caught the public eye, and the 292nd Maha Sannidhanam has been grandly praised by the religious heads, political leaders and public service organizations. This is a historic fact and a proof of the power of true spiritual strength.

Deeply concerned for all their welfare and growth He heard and felt their concerns, and assured them that there is no need to fear and that we are supporting one and all for peace to prevail in that area.

The Peacemaker harmonizing all Religions

During 1981, in Meenakshipuram, Tenkasi there was tension due to religious conversions of Hindus. Guru Maha Sannidhanam rushed to the area and visited practically all the homes to understand their concerns, and to alleviate their sufferings.

There He maintained the truth of Shiva traditions and Islamic traditions and convinced them to remain and live their own religion authentically, celebrating their uniqueness. He had reiterated “Lahum Dheeenukkum Valiyadin” from Kuran and established peace there.

It is said that the strong spiritual heroes have the heart of butter. This is evident in Srila Sri Arunagirinatha’s life, simply living for others. Over and above He sat in “Samabandhi” with socially downtrodden community and feasted with them, just like one among them, bringing much confidence to their hearts that they are protected under divine shelter of Madurai Aadheenam.

During the feast, Peshavar Mutt Peetadhipathi Sri Sri Vishveshvara Thirth Swami, and R.S.S. leader A.B. Vajipayee were more eminent among the participants. During 1981-82 there were religious conversions at Ramanathapuram. Guru Maha Sannidhanam rushed to that area and convinced the public and re-established peace.

Harmonizing All Religions

Uncompromising Strength of Saiva Tradition

In 1983 in Sri Lanka, huge numbers of Tamil citizens were brutally slaughtered and Siva Temples were broken down to the ground. At this outrageous act of religious persecution of done to the neighbours, our 292nd Guru Maha Sannidhanam felt very sad and went to the junction of west/north Masi Street, Nehru Aalala Sundara Vinayagar Koil and undertook hunger fast twice expressing his strong contempt for this unconscious negative acts.

He then visited most of Tamilnadu districts not bothering about the climatic conditions, sleep, food and rest, and delivered discourses at Shiva temples and served the people with the Shiva principles and truths in public.

He has worked very hard and patiently standing up with all might to oppose the negative anti-spiritual elements and reinstated the faith in people in the sacred Saiva tradition, bringing religious harmony and peace among all of them.

However grave the dangers were, wherever the human sufferings cried out for help and refuge, wherever the spiritual tradition was being challenged, Srila Sri Arunagirinatha Gnana Sambanda Desika Paramacharya is found present there, as the protector of humanity and the ambassador of spirituality.

In 1985-86, He visited the flood affected areas of Tirichy, Thanjavur districts and extended His hands in serving them with the basic urgent needs of the hour.

Unmoved by the political parties in power in Tamilnadu, He joined hands with the government supporting in all creative ways He could, to bring forth all innovative possibilities to make harmonious circumstances prevail in Tamilnadu.

Over and above, whenever there is any dispute among Maha Sannidhanams of Tambiran Shiva Aadheenams, He has intervened and maintained harmony and established cordial relationships. Whenever the Shiva Aadheenams were facing difficulties and disturbances, misunderstandings, our 292nd Guru Maha Sannidhanam bridged the gap and maintained peace and also displayed His leadership qualities to boldly voice his unbiased views.

We are all descendants of Lord Shiva and Ma Parvati. As per Lord Shiva’s and Ma Parvati’s orders we are running independently at Madurai, Thiruvavadu Durai, Thirupandal. We are just following the customs and conventions of the established Aadheenam and rule that part as legal heirs and maintain the heritage.